Participants during the Town Hall meeting

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Former Deputy Governor of Kano state, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, on Wednesday, warned stakeholders to desist from actions designed to stop the scheduled  October 26 Local Government elections in the state, insisting that doing so  will amount to truncation of democracy.

Prof. Hafiz spoke at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Mambayya House, Gwammaja, Kano, during a one-day Town Hall Meeting and public sensitization on the Kano  Local Government Councils Elections,  organised by  the Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), a Non Government organization (NGO), in collaboration with Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

Prof. Hafiz who served as Deputy to former Governor Abdullabi Umar Ganduje, before his voluntary resignation, was the chairman of the Town Hall meeting well-attended by women leaders, youth leaders, opinion leaders, traditional and religious leaders, including leaders of ethnic nationalities resident in Kano state.

The former Deputy Governor who frowned  at litigations and counter litigations trailing preparations  ahead of the Local Government elections, appealed to all stakeholders to,  “think Kano first before their selfish interest.”

The University don wondered why Kano, known for its political consciousness, and acclaimed as the most populous state in the country would not be prepared to hold a hitch-free Local Government election, devoid of rancour.

He expressed optimism that, “the election will hold; and it is going to be peaceful. Nobody should stop the election from holding in Kano on Saturday.”

In his remarks, KANSIEC chairman, Sani Lawal Malinfachi said the Commission has concluded all preparations to ensure hitch-free and fair  exercise come Saturday.

He dismissed a Court ruling sacking him as the chairman of KANSIEC,  recalling that an earlier ruling had urged all concerned to stop interferring in the activities of KANSIEC.

The KANSIEC chairman also informed the gathering that another ruling is being expected on Thursday which he claimed will affirm the conduct of the election on Saturday.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, Convener of  Kano State Local Government Elections Observation Mission,  who doubles as the Founder and National Coordinator of CDE, said the Town Hall meeting was convoked to create awareness, sensitize the people and enaure a hitch-free Local Government election in Kano.

He appealed to residents to come out en masse and exercise their franchise, while urging all political parties participating in the election to ensure peaceful and violent-free exercise.